The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/49941
sively and on special teams. Offensively, Michigan ranked 35th nationally through the regular season with 423.08 yards per game (down from sixth and 500.92 yards per reg- ular-season game in 2010) and 23rd in scoring with 34.17 points per game (23rd and 34.33 points per regular- season contest in 2010). The biggest improvement, besides wins, was in turnover margin (plus-six this sea- son compared to minus-10 in 2010) and time of possession (31:56 this fall versus 27:10 in 2010). Defensively, U-M made substan- tial improvement, ranking 16th in total defense, allowing just 317.58 yards per game, and ninth in scor- ing defense, permitting just 17.17 points per Saturday this year. During the 2010 regular season, Michigan ranked 109th in total defense (447.92 yards per game) and 102nd in scor- ing (33.83 points per game). Though the Wolverines' punting efforts took a step backwards this season, down three yards of net punting per kick from 36.65 to 33.66, the most visible special teams facet — field goals — was dramatically better. A year ago, U-M made 4 of 14 attempts (28.6 percent). This season, Michigan has converted 10 of 14 attempts (71.4 percent). "Greg Mattison and his staff have taken a defense that was one of the worst in the country and put us in a position where the offense could rely on the defense to get turnovers, to get field po- sition, to score touchdowns, to contribute, and to keep the other team from scor- ing," Brandon said. "By any standard, the comparison from last year to this year is night and day. The work that was done on special teams has been really impressive, and has added value to our performance. We had more confidence and better over- all execution in all phases. "And then on the offen- sive side of the ball, we pro- tected the ball so much bet- ter, and we ran the ball hard, and we kept Denard Robin- son healthy the entire season because we had other people helping him out carrying the ball, like Fitz Toussaint." Michigan played as a team, won as a team, warding off the potential pratfalls that can sabotage any cam- paign. U-M went 4-0 in September, 3-1 in October and 3-1 in Novem- ber, finishing with its best winning percentage in the final month (.750) since 2003 (3-0). "When you realize we had two losses, both of which we had chances to win, I don't think you could ask a coaching staff and a team to do a better job than this team has done," former U-M head coach Lloyd Carr said. "I'm so happy for Brady, and the staff, and the players. "Michigan football — we're where we want to be." MICHIGAN HAS NOT ARRIVED, YET Almost. "I think it was a terrific first year, but we want to win the Big Ten championship and go to the Rose Bowl, and as good as this year feels in many respects, we didn't achieve that fundamental goal, and that's the one we need to keep working towards," Brandon said. Failing to appear in the inaugural Big Ten championship game Dec. 3 in Indianapolis cannot dampen what this team achieved in 2011, but it does motivate the Wolverines. "Our goal is to win the conference championship, and we didn't do that so we've got a lot more to prove," Hoke said. "After everything this program, those kids, our alums and fans have been through, I'm not going to sug- gest this team came up short because we didn't win the Big Ten title," Di- erdorf said. "But I love that Hoke and his players aren't satisfied. I love the fact they're not basking in what they've accomplished, but are look- ing forward, first to a bowl game, and then to the spring, and to next season. "Michigan's goal every year is to win the Big Ten, and I'm sure Brady is making the point that, 'Job well done, but don't think for a minute we've arrived yet. Michigan is not back until we're the Big Ten cham- pion, playing in the Rose Bowl.' "But, it feels great to be headed back in the right direction." Dierdorf has seen pride return to the former players he speaks to in preparing to broadcast another NFL game. He doesn't even have to broach the subject of Michi- gan football, sitting back as they gush over Hoke and the 2011 Wolverines. It didn't seem possible 12 months ago, not even three months ago or maybe even a month ago that this team would earn double-digit vic- tories. But however unlikely, 10 wins became reality, and this program has announced its intentions to the rest of the Big Ten. "Team 132 has really taken steps towards our goals," se- nior defensive tackle Mike Martin said. "And we're disappointed because our goal every year is to win the Big Ten championship and we didn't achieve that, but there's next year for this pro- gram. "We're going to try and In head coach Brady Hoke's first season in charge, Michigan was one of only four teams in the Big Ten to earn six conference wins and one of only three teams to earn 10 victories overall. PHOTO BY LON HORWEDEL 22 THE WOLVERINE DECEMBER 2011 end this season on a good note and we're going to strive and work hard to take positive steps. We definitely took a step forward. I'm proud of this team." ❏